A clear indication of the high caliber of players that participated in the inaugural World Jr A Challenge
could be noted by the fact that during the 2007 NHL Entry Draft held June 22 and 23 in Columbus, 11 players
who participated in the event held in November in Yorkton, SK, were selected. This list includes Kyle Turris,
Riley Nash and Brendan Smith, who were all taken in the 1st Round.

Turris, the 2006 World Jr A Challenge MVP, went 3rd overall to the Phoenix Coyotes, while his teammate on
the Gold Medal winning Canada West squad, Riley Nash, was selected 21st overall by the Edmonton Oilers.
Brendan Smith who was a member of the Silver Medal Canada East entry was selected 27th overall by the Detroit
Red Wings.

Below you will find a brief bio on each of the players that participated in World Jr A Challenge that were
selected in the draft.

KYLE TURRIS

Position: Center

Born: 10 Sept 88

Height: 6’0.5”

Weight: 170

NHL Draft – Phoenix – 1st Round – 3rd Overall

Scouting Report:

In addition to an excellent 2006-2007 season with Burnaby in the BCHL where he racked up 121 points in the
regular season, Turris was also a key player on Canadian National team entries at the World Jr A Challenge in
November 2006 and the World U18 Championships in April 2007. With excellent his excellent puck skills, good
shot, and sound playmaking ability, Turris was one of the most dangerous players in the offensive zone,
eligible for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

Burnaby

53

66

55

121

83

World Jr A Challenge

4

5

6

11

4

RILEY NASH

Position: Centre

Born: 9 May 89

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 175

NHL Draft – Edmonton – 1st Round – 21st Overall

Scouting Report:

Nash led the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL during the regular season with 84 points. Scouts were
impressed with Nash, as each time they went to watch him improvement was noticeable. A hard working two way
player who is dependable at both ends of the rink.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

Salmon Arm

55

38

46

84

87

World Jr A Challenge

4

1

4

5

2

BRENDAN SMITH

Position: Defense

Born: 8 Feb 89

Height: 6’1.5”

Weight: 170

NHL Draft – Detroit – 1st Round – 27th Overall

Scouting Report:

Smith, one of the most offensively skilled defenceman available in the 2007 NHL Draft, had a solid season
with the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the OPJHL. A good skater, Smith has the ability to jump into the rush and
join the offensive attack. With his hard shot and playmaking abilities, he was a fixture on the Buzzers power
play. Next season Smith is slated to attend Wisconsin where he will have the opportunity to hone other area’s
of his game before moving on to pro.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

St. Michael's

39

12

24

36

90

World Jr A Challenge

4

0

2

2

2

SERGEI KOROSTIN

Position: Right wing

Born: 5 July 89

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 180

NHL Draft – Dallas – 3rd Round – 64th Overall

Scouting Report:

A good skater with good acceleration and quickness, Korostin is a smart player with the puck. His strong work
ethic and sound decisions with the puck, makes coaches feel comfortable using him in all situations.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

Moscow Dyn

7

0

0

0

8

World Jr A Challenge

5

2

4

6

0

EVGENI DADONOV

Position: Right wing

Born: 12 Mar 89

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 178

NHL Draft – Florida – 3rd Round – 71st Overall

A hard working player, Dadonov can be counted on at both ends of the rink.
As a member of the Russian entry in the World Jr A Challenge and the World U18 Championships, Dadonov showed
a competitive spirit and was used in all situations.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

Chelyabinsk

28

3

1

4

22

World Jr A Challenge

5

2

2

4

4

CASEY PIERRO-ZABOTEL

Position: Centre

Born: 1 Jan 89

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 200

NHL Draft – Pittsburgh – 3rd Round – 80th Overall

Scouting Report:

Pierro-Zabotel had an outstanding season for the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL, racking up 51 goals and 116
points during the regular season. With a nice touch around the net, he was one of the most dangerous players
around the net, eligible for the 2007 NHL Draft.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

Merritt

55

51

65

116

42

World Jr A Challenge

4

3

6

9

4

MAXIM MAYOROV

Position: Left Wing

Born: 26 Mar 89

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 187

NHL Draft – Columbus – 4th Round – 94th Overall

Scouting Report:

Mayorov has an excellent combination of size, speed and skills that suits the new NHL well. During the 2006
World Jr A Challenge showed good speed and an ability to take the puck wide then cutting into net and
creating a scouring chance. His good shot with a quick release makes him a dangerous player in the offensive
zone.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

Leninogorsk

33

7

5

12

6

World Jr A Challenge

4

3

1

4

0

BEN WINNETT

Position: Left wing

Born: 3 Apr 89

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 173

NHL Draft – Toronto – 4th Round – 104th Overall

Scouting Report:

Winnett is another highly skilled player from Salmon Arm of the BCHL. A good skater with solid offensive
skills, has a good shot with a quick release, Winnett is a dangerous player in the slot area with the
puck.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

Salmon Arm

39

27

30

57

58

World Jr A Challenge

4

3

2

5

2

MAXIM GONCHAROV

Position: Defence

Born: 15 June 89

Height: 6’03”

Weight: 190

NHL Draft – Phoenix – 5th Round – 123rd Overall

Scouting Report:

Maxim plays a simple style of game and is able to either skate or move the puck up the ice effectively with a
good first pass. A member of the Russian Under 18 teams that participated in the World Jr A Challenge and the
World U18 Championships.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

Moscow CSKA

19

0

0

0

10

World Jr A Challenge

4

0

0

0

0

MILAN KYTNAR

Position: Centre

Born: 19 May 89

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 183

NHL Draft – Edmonton – 5th Round – 127th Overall

Scouting Report:

Kytnar reliable two-way center, was a bright key player on Slovkia’s entries at both the World Jr A Challenge
and the World U18 Championships. He plays hard each shift at both ends of the rink.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

Topolcalny

75

41

61

102

137

World Jr A Challenge

5

0

2

2

2

DENNIS REUL

Position: Centre

Born: 29 June 89

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 213

NHL Draft – Boston – 5th Round – 130th Overall

Scouting Report:

A big player who uses size to make some bone crushing hits. Reul does a nice job of moving the puck hard and
does a nice job utilizing reach when battling for loose pucks.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

Mannheimer

34

9

17

26

82

World Jr A Challenge

4

0

3

3

8

ALAIN GOULET

Position: Defence

Born: 22 Sept 88

Height: 6’0.5”

Weight: 189

NHL Draft – Boston – 6th Round – 159th Overall

Scouting Report:

Goulet is a a solid defender who generally makes good, safe plays. With good positioning, does a nice job of
taking away the time and space of opposition players. Has good shot and is effective in getting it off
quickly from the blueline.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

Aurora Tigers

43

10

32

42

34

World Jr A Challenge

4

0

3

3

8

SERGEI GAYDUCHENKO

Position: Goalie

Born: 6 June 89

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 222

NHL Draft – Florida – 7th Round – 202nd Overall

Scouting Report:

Gayduchenko is a big goalie who takes up a lot of space in the net and does not leave many opening for
opposition players to shoot for.

Year

Team

GP

Mins

GA

Ave

06/07

World Jr A Challenge

3

105

10

5.71

LOUIS CAPORUSSO

Position: Center

Born: 21 June 89

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 180

NHL Draft – Ottawa – 3rd Round – 90th Overall

Scouting Report:

In addition to an excellent 2006-2007 season with St. Michael’s in the OPJHL where he racked up 50 points in
only 37 regular season games, Caporusso was also a key player at the World Jr A Challenge in November 2006
and the CJAHL Prospects Game in December 2006. With his excellent puck skills, solid shot, and sound
playmaking ability, Caporusso was one of the most heads-up players in the offensive zone, making him a strong
candidate to be selected within the first three rounds.

Year

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

06/07

St. Michael's (OPJHL)

37

23

27

50

45

World Jr A Challenge

4

1

3

4

2

The 2007 World Jr A Challenge is scheduled to take place in Trail/Nelson, BC November 5-11, 2007 and
promises again to feature numerous NHL prospects.

Some of the International Top Prospects that could potentially play in 07 event include:

Nikita Filatov – Russia

Vyacheslav Voynov - Russia

Krill Petrov – Russia

Jerome Flaake - Germany

The 2007 World Jr A Challenge is scheduled to take place in Trail/Nelson, BC November 5-11, 2007 and
promises again to feature numerous NHL prospects.

Some of the International Top Prospects that could potentially play in 07 event include: